Significant Babies In Vietnam, significant progress has been made over the past 25 years in improving the survival rate for children under five. From 1990 to 2018, deaths per 1,000 live births decreased from 52 to 21.

An estimated 47 babies die every day in Vietnam. Most are from preventable causes.

Infant mortality rates in the North and Central Highlands remain high, and in some provinces, such as Lai Chau and Kon Tum, the rate is three times higher than the national average.

Simple interventions such as skilled birth to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy and childbirth; necessary early infant care; start breastfeeding early; and kangaroo care for preterm and low birth weight babies can save the lives of women and infants.

UNICEF thanks the Ministry of Health for prioritizing and replicating these interventions. Therefore, we need to invest more so that these lifesaving interventions reach the most inaccessible places in the remote and mountainous areas.

UNICEF supports the Government of Viet Nam in providing health, nutrition, clean water - sanitation, education and child protection services for children aged 0-8 at the project area. representatives, to ensure that you reach your full potential. From January 2020, UNICEF will accompany the families of babies of the new decade in this project area to document the first years of their life and growth.

Meet baby boy Hao, the first baby born in 2020 in Kon Tum, Vietnam

“When my wife felt pain at birth, I shed tears. I held my wife's hand during my time at the hospital. When I heard my crying, I was very happy ”- A Ho, 27 years old, said his father.

Bearing a name like his father with the desire to grow up to be as healthy as his father, a boy from the Gie Trieng ethnic minority - A Dinh Hao was born at 1am on January 1, 2020. He was the first baby to be born in the new decade in Dak Choong Commune, Dak Glei District, Kon Tum Province, one of the communes of the Comprehensive Child Development Project supported by UNICEF.

Hao is the first child of the family and the baby was born in the district health center on a regular basis. He is one of the few ethnic minority children born at a health facility. In Dak Choong commune, according to the custom of the Gie Trieng people, 1 out of every 2 babies born at home. A Hao's mother shared, "I chose to give birth at the hospital to make it safer for my baby and mother. I thank the medical staff very much at the commune health station and district hospital. What to do during pregnancy and birth After birth, the sisters told me that I have to hold the baby in front of my chest so that it is good for the baby's health Then, before going home, the baby was vaccinated against hepatitis B. I know about I breastfeed my baby completely, from the commune health worker when I go for ANC, and I breastfeed my baby right after birth, but I think I don't know enough to feed my baby well, I want to know more like "How to feed your baby, how to prevent him from getting sick. I know about the project. I want to get involved so I can better understand and raise my child."

Understanding these difficulties, A Hao's father added, “Now I try to do everything for my mother and me whenever we need it. I cook for my wife and children, help my wife bathe my children ”.

Meet Dang Thi Bao Tran, the first baby born in 2020 in Kon Tum, Vietnam

“I am a gift to my family. We named her precious and cherished ”- Tran's mother radiantly shared, with a firm belief that she will be like her name.

Dang Thi Bao Tran is a baby born on the first day of the new decade in the area of ​​the comprehensive Child Development Project supported by UNICEF, Tan Lap Commune, Kon Ray District, Kon Tum Province. In the morning, his mother said, "We have been married for half a year without any children. So when I was born, I and my husband were very happy. " Bao Tran gave birth by caesarean section at Kon Tum City Hospital. The baby's mother regularly goes for prenatal check-ups at the city hospital and receives regular village health advice during pregnancy.

"I just wish he would grow up healthy," Sang said. “We study together from elementary school to high school, so we understand each other very well.” Laughed, “My husband loves the baby. He is a police officer. Day time is very busy. So when he came home he tried everything to help me and take care of the children. If the baby cries at night, he will always be the first to wake up to take care of the baby. ”

“I want to know more knowledge to care for a healthy baby. I am only afraid of being sick, ”Sang added. So I like to read child care guides on the web or through mobile phone software. Now I only know the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. ”

Meet Nguyen Hoang Sunny, the first baby born in 2020 in Kon Tum, Vietnam

Little Nguyễn Hoàng Sunny - ‘Anh Dương’ is the third Protestant in a Protestant family whose father has a hair salon and her mother makes cakes. Sunny - Anh Duong is one of two babies born on the first day of the new decade in the area of ​​the Comprehensive Child Development Project supported by UNICEF, Tan Lap Commune, Kon Ray District, Kon Tum Province. “I have a harder baby than my first two children. I went to the city hospital until the fourth time I was born and my baby was born a few days late. The doctor said that my child had an 'umbilical cord wrapped around her neck twice', so it was difficult to give birth. At the time of delivery, the doctor asked if I wanted to have a normal or caesarean birth? I said that if I want to give birth to a child. ”, To Thoai Thuy Nu, her mother said,“ I am very happy that I give birth to a normal and healthy child. I take care of you more than the two of me first. I hope my children grow up first to be healthy and good and beautiful as my name ”.

From the experience of having two children before, Sunny's mother goes for prenatal check-ups more when she is pregnant with her. However, she said she wants to know more about childcare skills so that children can grow up to be smarter or develop better brains. She and her husband take care of their two children first, mostly based on their relatives' experiences. These experiences are mostly about how to feed children to keep them healthy and grow fast. According to her now that is not enough.

"I hope that Sunny will grow up to be healthy, kind and radiant as my name." This is probably a wish that all parents want of their children. ”

Meet A Ka Thanh boy, the first baby born in 2020 in Kon Tum, Vietnam

A Ka Thanh, a Ba Na ethnic boy was born at 8am on 1/1/2020. Thanh was the first baby born in the new decade in Dak To Re commune, Kon Ray district, Kon Tum province, the area of ​​the Comprehensive Child Development Project supported by UNICEF.

Y Du Thanh's mother knew, “Thanh is our third child. The two previous grandchildren were girls. I'm happy to have you. The name Thành means success. I hope that when I grow up, I will achieve much success ”.

In consultation with the commune health staff, Y Duch went to the full replacement examination - 3 times during the pregnancy.

“The commune health workers told me that they should give birth at the commune health station or hospital to be safer for both mother and baby. But according to the customs of the Ba Na, I still give birth at home like the two previous children. When I was born, my grandmother was helped by my grandmother. ”, Y Duch said.

In 2019, the number of ethnic children born at home still accounts for half of all newborns in Dak Re commune. This figure is lower than in 2018. Thanks to the advice of health workers, more and more mothers want to give birth at health facilities to get the best care for mothers and babies.

“I just hope that I grow up healthy and study well. It's up to you to do what you want, ”Y Duch says. “My husband helps me wash clothes, cooks meals for me and takes care of the baby. But I still want him to drink less to help me and me more ”, Y Duch smiled. “I took care of you just like the two of me first. I don't know much about project activities yet. But if so, I would like to be able to participate in project activities to know more and take care of my children better. I also want my child to be fully immunized so they do not get sick. ”.

“Her name is‘ A ’, so she'll be at the top of the list. I hope that he will always study well and be first in everything and better than boys, ”Phuong's mother happily shared.

Trinh Le Mai Anh is the second child in the family. Mai Anh is the first baby born on the first day of the new decade in the area of ​​the comprehensive Child Development Project supported by UNICEF, Kon Long Commune, K’Bang District, Gia Lai Province.

“When I was pregnant with my child, I was pregnant from the third month. I have to rest and do nothing for 5 months. I was very worried, so I had regular prenatal check-ups at commune health stations and district hospitals. When I was born I was very happy. I gave birth to a child at a district hospital. ”, Phuong said.

“Our first grandson is a girl. My grandmother really wants us to have a son. She has seven grandchildren, but they are all nieces, "Phuong said." For girls and boys alike. I love you more because you are a girl. My name is Mai Anh, which means gentle and gentle. My husband loves you so much. He called the baby a princess. ”

When asked about how to take good care of her baby, Phuong said, “I know that breastfeeding exclusively in the first 6 months of breastfeeding only, do not need to eat anything, including drinking water, because breast milk is full of nutrients. But I still want to know more, so I can take care of him the best. ”

His mother hopes that Mai Anh will grow up very well, so she wishes her children will be supported with conditions to study well. Phuong said, “Mountainous children are more disadvantaged than city children in learning. I want my children to learn English, be supported to develop all their talents such as singing, dancing and arts. "